by ERIN BEDFORD
I had to agree with Rayne on this one. For all his immaturity in age, he did have a point. If Miss Billings was already well on her way to being in love with Wynn, then we had a problem. God, what I wouldn't give for a nun right about now.
Except Wynn could charm the habit off even the most astute servant of God.
Coming to a decision, I lifted my glass in Wynn's direction. “Wynn, you are forbidden to use your powers on this new maid.”
“Now hold on just a moment.” Wynn finally sat up in his seat, a bit of worry on his face. Good, he should be worried. “Why do you think my powers have anything to do with it? I can get a girl without resorting to magic.”
Draconius snorted. “Sure, you can.”
Wynn lifted a brow. “Is that a wager I hear in your voice?”
Allister, Draconius's twin brother sighed and shook his head. “I think you rely far too much on your abilities to get a woman the old-fashioned way. It takes patience, something you lack greatly.”
“I have a far greater chance than you.” Wynn pointed a finger at Allister. “You with your smooth-talking ways. You are crippled by that silver tongue of yours. There's no way you could get into a woman's pants or heart without speaking.”
I stifled a groan. Once these idiots set their minds on something it was hard pressed to get them to change it.
“You want to bet?” Allister sneered.
Rayne slammed his hand on the table as he stood. “I thought the point of this meeting was to agree that we weren't going to mess with the new maid, and here you three are, making bets on who could get into her pants the fastest without using your powers.”
Tired of listening to them squabble, I met Rayne's gaze. “Too true. Thank you, Rayne.” Glancing around the table, I made sure they were all paying attention to me before I continued. “No one at this table will be trying to do anything with Miss Billings. If you want a woman, do it out of the house. I will not have this household go to shambles because you cannot keep it in your pants.”
Rayne sat back down and sighed. “Why can't we just hire a cleaning service? They come in, clean, and leave. Why have a maid live on site at all?”
Giving Rayne a measured gaze, I tossed my hair over my shoulder. “Because we cannot have some outsider snooping around where their noses don't belong. Eventually, we will gain Miss Billings’ trust and then we won't have to tip toe around in our own home.”
Rayne let out a rude sound. “Fat chance that's gonna happen. These three can't stop thinking with their dicks long enough to get her to trust us.”
“That is why you will keep tabs on her.” I locked eyes with him, pushing my will into my words. “I want to know what she's thinking at all times. If she finds out what we are and decides to run, I want to know.”
Inclining his head like the good, obedient brother, Rayne stood again and left us either to get his own meal or brood.
I wasn't fooled. I knew Rayne hated his ability to see into the minds of humans, especially ones he cared about. If he was smart, he would keep his emotions close to the chest and not let them get in the way of what had to be done. I was tired of having to break someone new in. We had Darren, but there were simply too many of us for him to handle us and this big house.
“He's going to hate you for this,” Wynn murmured, his eyes coming up off the table. “You know how he fee—”
“I know,” I intoned seriously.
Marcus, who hadn't said a word during the whole exchange, shifted at my right. “It's necessary.”
Wynn glared at the mountain of a man. “To who?”
“If you want Rayne to stop being an immature brat, then you need to stop treating him like a child,” I simply stated, turning my head as the front door opened.
I could hear Darren greet the guests as they came in. I could smell the heavy perfume of the donors before they even hit the dining room. Several women entered the room, each of them in skin-baring clothing. If anyone on the outside saw them, they would think they might be prostitutes, which they were in a way. They sold their bodies, yes, but not for sex.
No, sex was far easier to pay for than what we wanted, what we needed.
“Now this is more like it.” Draconius leered, licking his lips like a wolf about to devour his meal. He stood from the table and came up beside a voluptuous brunette. Slipping a hand behind her head, he tilted her head back. “Are you scared, my lovely?”
The woman gave Draconius a sultry smile. “Do you want me to be?”
I didn't pay much more attention to him or my other brothers as they each picked their donor. In most households, the head of the house would pick first, but I'd never been one to care. Blood was blood, no matter the source. However, when the petite blonde came my way, I frowned. She reminded me far too much of the maid we had just been discussing.
Wearing a low-cut, revealing dress, she sauntered over to my side. Her fingers played along her neck line as her eyes devoured me. “Where would you like me, master?”
That one word made my groin harden, pressing up against the fabric of my slacks. I had control issues. I knew it. The others knew it. It was no doubt the reason I had the power to make someone do as I wanted, even against their will. I'd always been this way, even in life some hundred years ago. Now, even in my undead life, I craved it.
“Here,” I purred, moving back from the table so she could slide into my lap. Her arms wrapped around my shoulders, and she leaned in as if to kiss me. Not giving her the chance, I tangled my fingers in her hair and pulled her head to the side.
She gasped with a mixture of pain and pleasure. I could already smell her arousal and I'd barely touched her. Those who took this job weren't in it just for the pay, though it was astronomical compared to paying for sexual favors. They wanted this every bit as much as we did.
I lifted my head briefly to see the others had already begun to feed. Wynn used his powers at the same time, causing the woman to orgasm while he tasted her. I would never bring someone to orgasm with just my touch. I could only command them to enjoy it, and they would. However, with this one, I thought as I adjusted my hold on the blonde, she would love it no matter what.
Without warning, I plunged my fangs into her neck and drank deeply. She cried out, her little hands gripping my shirt and no doubt wrinkling the fabric. I forced myself to stop thinking and to focus on the beat of her heart.
Thudump. Thudump. Thudump.
Though the woman in my arms was perfectly good and the blood sweeter than most I'd tasted, I couldn't help but think of Miss Billings. Those big brown eyes and soft mouth. Her immediate arousal as she took in each and every one of us. Would our little maid's heart beat quicken at my touch? Despite my warnings to my brothers, I couldn't help but want to find out.
Chapter 5
Piper
The door Darren had gone through led to the kitchen. Not just any kitchen though, it was one of those T.V. kitchens most of us peasants only dreamed of. It had a double top stove with a large range overhead, and the island and counters were all covered in a dark marble that I would fear I’d scratch if I touched it.
Uh, oh. Put away the china.
“Finally,” Darren sniffed, not any happier for me to be there than I was. “You may eat your meals in here at the bar or in your room. Nowhere else.”
I slid onto one of the barstools and nodded curtly, not trusting myself to be civil.
Darren went about taking a plate from the cabinet and filling it with some kind of beef and vegetable concoction on the stove. Whatever it was smelled heavenly. At this point, I’d have taken anything other than fast food. I was surprised I hadn’t gotten as big as a house from of all the crap I ate because of my prior living conditions.
“I’m sure Master Durand has already made it clear, but you are here for one thing, to do your job, not to socialize and not to poke your nose into the masters’ business.” He placed the plate in front of me along with a glass of lemonade, his brown eyes narrowing to slits. “Some days, you might finish your chor
es early. If this happens, you have the rest of the day to yourself. You will get Sundays off for you to take care of any personal things.”
“Oh, wow. A full day off to myself.” The words slipped from my mouth before I could stop them. I paused for a moment, expecting to be chastised for my slip up, but Darren had better manners than me and simply huffed, pressing his lips together until they thinned into a fine line.
Not pushing my luck, I turned my attention back to my plate. I picked up my fork and took a bite of my meal, pretending to listen to him once more. I couldn’t help but let out a hum of pleasure at the taste. This was absolutely divine.
God, I haven’t had food like this in forever.
“So happy you enjoy my food.”
My eyes snapped open and flushed as I realized Darren was staring at me with a bemused look on his face. It was as close to a smile I had ever seen on him. I tucked that little tidbit into the back of my mind for later.
“Are you and me the only people who work here? I haven’t seen any other employees.” I waved my fork around in the air at the obvious lack of workers. “Seems a bit odd for such a big house.”
Darren made a plate for himself as he spoke. “I handle the household, as in I answer the phones, the door, and anything else the masters need. I also, on occasion, cook as well.” He tilted his head toward my plate of food.
I felt like he was telling me not to get used to it. Oh, well. The cook couldn't be worse than some of the questionable gas station food I’d eaten.
Never eat sushi from a guy named Lenny at the corner mart. Your intestines will hate you for the whole weekend.
“The regular cook is Miss Gretchen,” Darren continued. “She only comes a few times a week. Miss Gretchen also makes some premade meals and places them in the fridge.” He gestured toward the large double door refrigerator before coming over to sit by me.
“And I clean the house?” I arched a brow, finding it kind of hard to believe that this massive house ran on only three people.
Darren seemed to understand my reservation. “The masters keep to themselves for the most part and are remarkably tidy. You shouldn’t have too much trouble keeping up with your chores. Just remember the rules, and you will be fine.”
Arching a doubtful brow at him, I shook my head. “You obviously don't know me very well. Rules? Fine, but believe it or not, I attract trouble like flies on shit.” I bit my lower lip and flushed. “Pardon my language. I just thought I'd forewarn you.”
Darren gave a resigned sigh. “As much as I appreciate the gesture, I have to warn you as well. Any trouble you may cause will not end well for you, and I don't mean from the unemployment agency.”
I nodded in understanding at his wilting glare.
Stay out of trouble. Boy, have I got my work cut out for me.
We both ate our meals in silence after that. I could hear the murmurs of the masters from the dining rooms, but they were too low for me to make out what they were saying. I hadn’t seen Darren take them food, so I wasn’t sure exactly what they were eating.
After several minutes, I worked up the courage to ask. “If we're eating this, what are the masters eating?” The word ‘masters’ felt weird on my tongue as if I should be wearing a collar and holding a whip.
Darren gave me an evasive look. “The masters are on a special diet. You wouldn't find it very appealing.”
Probably one of those fake gluten-free diets. I grimaced, the masters losing several hotness points because of it.
When I finished my meal, I took it to the sink and rinsed it before sticking it in the dishwasher, something I had been taught to do since I was young. I turned around to see Darren watching me with a curious expression.
“What? I know how to wash a dish.” I shrugged and started back toward the dining room, but Darren stopped me.
“Don’t go that way.” I glanced back at him, my brow furrowed. “The staircase over there will take you back upstairs and comes out near your room. Use this one from now on when coming in and out of the kitchen. The dining room is reserved for the masters alone.”
Wrinkling my nose, I wiped my hands against each other and changed my direction to head for the stairs. However, once more, I was stopped by Darren’s voice.
“By the way, if you are in your room, you should always lock your door, especially at night.” He gave me one of those firm, no-nonsense looks that didn’t leave any room for questioning.
So, I didn’t.
Taking the stairs two at a time, I couldn’t wait to get to my room and process all of this. Today had been an interesting day, to say the least, and I could only assume it would only get worse.
When I got to my room, I worked on unpacking what little I had and made a note to myself to go buy some more suitable work clothes. I couldn't imagine cleaning in dress pants, and they hadn’t specified a dress code. By the time it was time for bed, I had showered and changed into an oversized t-shirt. I pulled back the covers of my new bed and sighed into the sheets.
Even the thread counts of the servant’s beds were better than anything I had before. It was like sleeping on a cloud.
I'd barely closed my eyes when there was a knock on my door. I sat up, but the doorknob turned before I could answer, and I cursed myself for not locking it.
A dark head poked in the doorway and when those piercing blue eyes saw that I wasn't asleep, Wynn threw the door open. “Ah, you're still awake.”
I scooched up in the bed, pulling my covers closer to me. “Uh, yeah. Was just about to go to bed actually.”
Wynn hummed, and his eyes went around my room. “The last few maids didn't do much to this room. They didn't last long enough.” He winked at me. “But I have a feeling you'll be different.”
Clearing my throat and yelling at my libido to chill the fuck out, I wrung my hands in my lap. “I hope you're right.”
We're quiet for a moment, and I wondered what the gorgeous man was doing in my room. It certainly broke the no fraternizing rule his brother had all but drilled into my head.
“So, your brothers seem nice.” I figured I'd at least prod him for answers since we were breaking the rules and everything.
Wynn’s eyes crinkled at the sides. “Then you don't know them very well.”
“Not as nice as you?” I teased.
Snorting, Wynn moved over to my bed, his fingertips trailing along the line of my legs under the bedspread before sitting down at my side. “Let's just say they lack my charms as well as several other redeeming qualities.”
“Oh. Well, I’m sure we'll get along just fine.” I gave him a hopeful smile.
“Enough about my brothers,” Wynn said, taking my injured hand in his own. “Tell me about you. Do you have any family?”
My brows scrunched together as he unwrapped my hand, his fingers brushing along my skin and making me shudder. “Uh, yeah.” I licked my lips and tried not to faint. “I have parents and siblings. We don’t really talk.”
“That’s too bad.” His voice was low, his eyes intently focused on the cut on my hand. It had stopped bleeding already but still stung. “Does it hurt?”
“A little.”
“Here, I’ll fix that.” Wynn leaned forward and brushed his lips against the palm of my hand. I felt the touch of his lips all the way down to my toes. I curled my legs close to me, hoping he couldn’t tell how turned on I was by him.
He peered up at me from beneath his long lashes, his nostrils flaring. “Better?”
Swallowing hard, I jerked my head up and down twice and breathed out, “Yes.”
Even with my reassurance, he didn’t release my hand. Wynn’s mouth hovered over my skin. My pulse jerked at the heat of his breath as he laid a kiss on my wrist. I squirmed in place, the tiny panties I wore becoming increasingly uncomfortable.
“Wynn.”
Antoine’s voice startled both of us. I jerked my arm out of Wynn’s grasp and shoved it under the covers as if that would save me from the hot, needy feeling swirling aro
und in between my thighs. I couldn’t look up at my boss my face, hot and stinging from embarrassment.
Wynn didn’t seem to have the same issue. He flashed me a toothy grin before standing. Strolling across the room, he gave me a languid wave. “Good night, little maid.”
I didn’t reply, keeping my eyes down on my duvet. However, when the bedroom door didn’t shut right away, I chanced a look up.
Antoine’s pale eyes bore into me, making me squirm for a completely different reason. I opened my mouth to explain what had happened, but Antoine didn’t give me the chance.
“Lock your door. I won’t be responsible for what happens next time if you don’t.”
I bobbed my head so fast my eyes rolled in my head.
“Good night, Miss Billings.”
“Good night, Master Durand.” The door clipped shut before I could finish my sentence.
Jerk.
These guys were going to be the death of me if they didn’t fire me first. Sinking into my sheets once more, I started to close my eyes before Wynn’s face flashed in my head, hungry and leering. I ran my fingers over where he had kissed me.
Dropping my hand, I sighed. Stop daydreaming, Piper. You have a job to do, and that didn’t include banging the bosses. I had my battery-operated friend for that.
Jumping out of the bed, I raced across the room and turned the lock. I hurried back to my bed and dove beneath the covers. Snuggling down, I reached over and flicked the lamp switch. Letting out a small moan of pleasure, I realized something.
No guy, no matter how sexy, was worth giving up this thread count. I chuckled to myself as I drifted off to sleep.
That night, I dreamed of my new employers as dark figures surrounding me, taunting me, and demanding me to come with them. Wynn was the most eager of the six brothers to have me join them. By the time I woke the next morning, I had tossed and turned myself so much that my sheets were tangled around my body.
I fought against my confines and ended up on the floor with a thud. Groaning, I grabbed my head and rubbed my eyes. The light pierced through the shades and blinded me as I cracked open my eyes. I had forgotten to close them the night before. Why this one room had the curtains open and the rest of the house didn’t, I would never know.